Did you know that legends claim the “jack-o-lantern” got its name from a mean old man named Jack?

Legends have it that a stingy and mean old man, named Jack, was too mean to get into heaven when he died.

When Jack went to hell he was meet by the Devil who gave him a piece of burning coal and sent him away. Jack placed the burning coal in a turnip to use as a lantern to light his way. The legends claim that Jack is still walking with the “jack-o-lantern” looking for a place to stay.

Did you know that the United States produces more than 998 million pounds of pumpkins?

That’s a lot of Jack-o-Lanterns to make! The largest producer is Illinois, which grows an average of 457 million pounds of pumpkin. All these pumpkins are valued at more than $100 million.

The holiday of Halloween dates back to the Dark Ages. Once truly spooky traditions have morphed over the years into much more light-hearted (but still mischievous) celebrations. Here is a fun look at some of the facts and folklore that describe how All Hallows Eve came to be celebrated as Halloween. Join us for a new Did You Know? each day as we count down to Halloween.